Panel-section joining and finishing frame.



J. A. MGLEAN.

PANEL SECTION JOINING ANDy FINISHING FRAME.

APPLICATION FILED une, 1912.

L5,996 Patented 1)ec.3,1912.A

JNI/ENTOR 7 ...Tama 5 A .M9LEa1-L,

` yjfllarney sTATEs PATENT OFFICE.

:mans A. MCL-ann, or'AMEsBUnY, MASSACHUSETTS.

PANEL-SECTION JOINING AND FINISHING FRAME.

Specication of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. 3, 1912.

' vApplication led May 6, 1912. Serial No. 695,527.

My present invention relates to frames for.

joinin and nishing the. sections of automobile panels, and isparticularly adapted -to position and retain the sections inoperativerelation to each so as to facilitate the joining thereof, bysoldering, and nishing the joint in such a manner as to provide aninvisible joint at the exterior of the panel. A joint formed by the aidof a frame constructionnaccording to my invention, after the panel hasreceived its inishing coat, is not perceivable from the exterior, andtherevfore gives. the'appearance of a panel formed of one continuoussheet of metal.-

The principal objects of my invention are to provide a frame whereby theautomobile panel sections, which are of arched shape, may be quickly andrigidly joined, by soldering, in such a manner as to present aninvisible joint, and, to facilitate the han dling of such panel sectionsso as to enable the operator to apply the soldervin the most eticientmanner.

In the drawings, forming a part of this speciicationz-Figure 1 is a planview of two adjacent panel sections positioned by a frame embodying myinvention. Fig. 2 is an'end elevation of the device as disclosed inFig. 1. Fig. 3 is a vertical sectional view through the device asdisclosed in Fig. 1. Fig. 4 is a detailed, fragmentary view in verticalsection, through the receiving slot and adjacent means for receiving the'inturned flanges of the panel sections.

Similar characters refer to Similar parts throughout the several views.

Sheet metal sections 1, of which the auto mobile panel is formed, areprovided with inturned flanges 2, disposed at substantially right anglesto that portion of the panel in i proximity thereto, and when thesections are assembled, these flanges are disposed in abutting relationto each other. The panels have arched port-ions 3, which are formed toprovidethe desired contour to the panel portions of the automobile body,and the. degree of arching is determined by the design of theautomobile. u

The frame, designated generally by F, for positioning the panel sectionsl with their fflanges 2 in abutting relation to each other, lcomprisestable arms 4, spaced apart from each other by a tie member 5 which isconnected to the arms 4 intermediate their ends, forming a substantiallyI-shaped frame, as indicated in dotted lines in Fig. l. of the drawing.

With particular reference to the table arms 4, they are formed at theirupper faces complementary to the contour ofthe panel sections, asclearly shown in Figs. 2 and 3 of the drawing, and the said tie member 5isflush, at its'upper surface, with the said faces of the arms-4. Agroove 6 extends longitudinally of and is formed inl` the upper face ofmember 5, this groovef'continuing transversely through the arms 4. Iprefer to construct the I-sha ed frame? F by members 4 and 5, made owood and for a purpose to be subsequently described, I provide metalfacing strips?- counter sunk in the upper face of member 5, held inplace by screws 8, and projecting beyond the walls of the'slot 6, asclearly shown in Fig. 4 of the drawing. By this construction, aninverted T-shaped groove is provided which accommodates the saidabutting flanges 2 of the sections 1.

With the sections 1 in place, supported by table arms 4 and tie member5, and the said lianges 2 thereof accommodated by the groove 6, clampbars 9 are provided to rest upon the plates above'the tie member 5 anddisposed longitudinally adjacent the space .inter-mediatethe separatedsections. These clamp bars are held in place by clamps 10, jaws 1l and12 of lwhich grip the bars and hold them tightly againstv the panelsections 1, intermediate the upper jaws 1 1 and the frame F. The tiemember 5 provides suitable means whereby the 'frame F is permitted andsaid tie member may be gripped by a vise 13, or any other suitabledevice, which will enable the frame to be tilted whenv such is desired,or the frame rigidly held in a substantially horizontal position,

The operation of the device is as follows: The panel sect-ions havingbeen. positioned with the flanges in slightly spaced apart relation toeach other, within the groove, and clamped upon the frame, melted solderis poured in the space between the flanges. Under its influence theflanges are drawn together, while the clamp bars 9 prevent any materialbodily movement of the sections. The strips 7 prevent the spreading ofthe sections at the portion of the joint formed, where neatness is mostdesirable, while the enlarged portion of the groove, that is,the head ofthe T-shaped groove, permits slight expansion of the flanges. As thesolder cools, the flanges contract and the sections I are rmly fastenedtogetherand eiciently .held 'by the solder interposed between theflanges. Before removing the joined panel from the frame, by means ofl aile, grind wheel, or buffer, the' solder protruding beyond the outerface of the panel may beremoved andl the surface made smooth and flushwith the adjacent surface'of the sections. Because ofv the contractionof the fianges, vwhen the solder is co'ol, the panel may be easilyremoved from the frame when the clamps 10 and 'bars 9are loosened.

When curved portionsf the paneljare to be joined, the frame F may betilted as'the solder is poured in and may be tilted 'su'iciently topermit the solder to flow in place between the anges, by gravity, butnot fast enough to become thin at any portion of the joined elements.From. the-foregoing, it-is made manifest that I provide meansfacilitating the joining of automobile panels by which a secureinvisible joint v may be made between the sections, and, because of thecoaction of parts and the action of the joining means upon the panelsections, a joint free from flaws is provided.

I claim 1. In joining and finishing frames for vehicle panel sections,having inturned margmal flanges, the combination of table arms havingtheir upper surfaces formed com-l plementary to the contour of the panelsections, a tie member joining said table arms intermediate their ends,said tie member having an inverted T-shaped groove eX- tendinglongitudinally thereof and continuing transversely through said tablearms, for the reception of the flanges of the panel sections, andclamping means for retaining groove extending longitudinally thereofandcontinuing transversely through said table arms, for the reception ofthe flanges of the panel sections, and clamping means for retaining saidsections upon said tie member with their anges-positioned inpredetermined relation to each other in the said groove thereof,substantially as and forA the purpose set forth. Y

3. In joining and finishing frames for vehicle panel sections havinvinturned marginal flanges, the combination of a substantially I-shapedframe formed with its face `complementaryto the contour of the panelsections and having an inverted T-shapedv groove extendinglongitudinallyy of the tie portion of the frame at the face thereonsaidgroove accommodating the flanges, of the panels, clamping means forretaining said sections in predetermined relation to each other uponsaid frame,fsubs'tantially as and for the purpose set-. vforth. f

4, In joining and l finishing lvehicle panel sections having-inturnedmarginal flanges, the combination of. asubstantially'I-sliaped frameformed with its upper, face complementary tothe contour of the panelsections and having a groove extending longitudinally of the tieportionV of the frameat the face thereof, said groovey accommodating theanges of the panels, and

clamping means'for retaining said sections vupon said frame with theirangesposltioned in predetermined relationA to each other in the saidgroove thereof, substantiallly as and for the purpose'set forth.

5. In joining and finishing frames for panel sections, havinginturnedmarginal flanges, the combination of supporting means for thepanel sections having its receivng face formed complementary to thecontour of the sections, and an inverted 'l'- shaped elongated groovedisposed in the sald for y receiving face of said supporting means forthe reception of the flanges of the panel sections, and clamping meansfor retaining said sections upon said supporting means with their iangesin predeterminedrelatlon to each other in said groeve, substantially .asand for the purpose set forth.

6. In joining and finishing frames for vehicle panel sections, havinginturned marginal flanges, the combination of supporting predeterminedrelation to each other, in said 1o means for the panel sections lhavingits regroove, substantially as and for the purpose ceiving face formedcomplementary to the set forth.

contour of the sections, yand an elongated In testimony whereof I ax mysignature groove having its Walls in rigid spaced apart in presence oftwo witnesses.

relation to each other, for the reception of JAMES AL MCLEAN. theflanges of the panel sections, and olarnp- Witnesses: ing means forretaining said sections upon ROBERT C. CLARK,

the supporting meanswith their flanges 1n RAYMOND J. HOITT.-

